PRINIATIKOS PYRGOS - 2010

Informations Générales

Numéro de la notice

2003

Année de l'opération

2010

Chronologie

Âge du Bronze - Bronze Ancien - Bronze Moyen - Bronze Récent

Âge du Fer - Géométrique

Antiquité - Archaïque - Classique - Hellénistique - Romain

Période byzantine - Protobyzantine - Médiobyzantine

Mots-clés

Maison - Sépulture - Inscription - Lampe - Métal - Pierre - Verre - Habitat

Nature de l'opération

Fouille - Programmée

Institution(s)

Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies at Athens (IIHSA) (Institut irlandais d'études helléniques à Athènes)

Localisation

Toponyme
Pyrgos

Notices et opérations liées

20082010

Description

Priniatikos Pyrgos. B. Molloy (IIHSA/Dublin), B. Hayden (ASCSA/Pennsylvania Museum), J. Day (Dublin) and V. Klontza-Jaklova (Pennsylvania Museum) report on continuing excavation in 2010. Work focused on Trench II on the top of the promontory (Figs 1,2): horizons here include undisturbed or pure EM I, EM IIB, MM II, MM III, at least three LM IA, some LM III and Late Geometric through to early Orientalizing, Classical, Hellenistic, Early and Middle Byzantine.

To the northwest, an EM I domestic unit under mudbrick debris was probably an interior space associated with cooking activity. Successive phases of pebble and earth surfaces were revealed, the last of which held a fragmentary pithos, quern and mortar (Fig. 3). A copper chisel tip was also recovered, as was FN/EM I-II evidence for in situ obsidian knapping typical of the normal reduction processes (flakes, rejuvenated cores and debitage: Fig. 4). A burnt hearth area with animal bone refuse was located here. A discrete feature defined nearby by broken pithos pieces contained an Ag. Onouphrios ware jug and goblet parts, all deliberately broken before being covered. The forms and fabrics suggest an early EM I date.

An EM IIB Vasiliki ware jug was found on a rough deposit typical of the many such laid to create level space amidst irregular bedrock outcrops. The EM I settlement is now seen to spread from the top of the promontory down its east and west sides.

Debris from an urban shrine of possible MM II date includes rhyta fragments (some from a bull’s-head, Fig. 5) amongst high-quality ceramics. There is substantial provision for storage. No associated structure is yet certainly identified, although certain walls as C 758 are 0.9m thick. One shallow bowl, which perhaps held molten metal, has a potter’s mark or hieroglyphic/Linear A symbol of vaguely Δ-form (Figs. 6 and 7), and two others show a simple X. A schist blade was found.

Fine wares, many, such as cups, bowls and pouring vessels (including rhyta), for liquids, imply continued activity into LM IA. Tripod cooking pots and coarsewares including pithoi (Figs 8 and 9) indicate other activities in the immediate vicinity. These deposits of mostly local wares are associated with both plaster and earth surfaces.

A deposit sealing the area dates to LM IA at the latest. Reoccupation was immediate: damaged pithoi were removed, and cruder stone walls (C 133) erected. Other activities broadly dated to LM IA are represented by post-holes, pits and surfaces, plus a plaster floor and a gutter alongside a wall (C 865 by C 867).

Two kerbs (C 967 and 533) delimit an MM II-III open-air zone of large pebbles which measures at least 6m east-west, although the northern and southern borders have yet to be found.

To the south were two Late Geometric pits and a wall, the former containing finewares and cooking vessels indicative of a domestic establishment. The wall, which was built onto bedrock after the removal of Bronze Age material, defines an outdoor space lacking recognizable surfaces, into which the pits were sunk. EIA pits were also found elsewhere: one (C 883) contained a rim sherd with an early alphabetic inscription (Fig. 10). Pottery from these pits (e.g. aryballoi, jars, storage and cooking vessels) dates from the mid-eighth to early seventh centuries (Fig. 11), placing the reoccupation of the site earlier than previously believed.

Again to the south, Classical levels are associated with a wall (C 779). A concentration of deposits dated to 500-475 BC, with residual pottery going back to 525-550. Imported amphorae include one from Chios. A Hellenistic pit was found in the centre/west.

Late Roman to Byzantine ceramics include red slip, combed and ribbed wares, and Constantinople White ware. The diagnostic glass (e.g. goblets) dates from the late fifth to eighth centuries AD.

In the early Byzantine Building Complex 1 (Fig. 2), the squared outer face of the inner curved wall of Room 2 suggests a martyrion or a tower; a form of enceinte can be detected (walls C 11, C 12, C 729: Fig. 1). A complete Early Byzantine chalice was recovered from a pit (Fig. 12). A layer of plaster and a glass lamp are associated with a later building phase.

To the southeast three built tombs indicate high-status burials (Fig. 13): Grave 3 has stone walls and lintels and was plaster-covered; Graves 4 and 5 were contained within a small structure, as if a mausoleum. Graves 1 and 2 to the west are also of Byzantine date.

Byzantine Building 2, to the immediate north of Byzantine Building 1, was also established early and remained in use for a long period with many phases of alteration. Exterior walls found to the east and north (C 14 and 548) belong to the initial phase of use, as does a pithos set in a concrete-lined pit; later walls (C 708 and 821) are on a slightly different orientation. Other masonry styles, and the small rooms 101 and 102, may indicate squatter occupation.

Auteur de la notice

Don EVELY

Références bibliographiques

Unpublished field report, Irish Institute of Hellenic Studies at Athens. Digital records (http://www.priniatikos.net/database.html) and scanned images of key objects (http://www.priniatikos.net/will.html) are accessible online; past reports are available on request (http://www.priniatikos.net/reports.html). A 3-D tour is being developed (http://www.priniatikos.net/frank.html).